American Rescue Plan Act

The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) is a $1.9 trillion federal stimulus bill to speed up the country’s recovery from the economic and health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The City received $33.1 million in ARPA funding. In addition to the ARPA allocation, the City contributed additional funds to support the Fourth Plain For All Investment Strategy, the Main Street Promise project and other high-priority projects.

ARPA-related new spending as of Dec. 31, 2023: $6.5 million

In addition to the two major City initiatives below, grant funds have also been spent on planning and outreach and COVID mitigation and prevention, totaling $2 million.

Fourth Plain for All Investment Strategy

In Nov. 2023, City Council approved the Fourth Plain for All Investment Strategy for neighborhoods surrounding Fourth Plain Boulevard between I-5 and I-205. This plan outlines how we’ll invest $25 million in ARPA funds by 2026 and additional investments proposed by the City over the next decade to expand housing options, build economic prosperity, improve parks/public spaces, public health, transportation safety and more.

How we’ll invest ARPA on Fourth Plain:

$9.5 million for housing
Supports new affordable housing developments and homeownership to build wealth in the community.

$7 million for parks and public space
Improves existing parks amenities, including major improvements and redesign of Bagley Community Park.

$4.25 million for transportation
Improves safety by providing traffic calming on neighborhood streets, lighting, and pedestrian infrastructure on neighborhood streets.

$2.25 million for community building and public health
A comprehensive tutoring program with Vancouver Public Schools, a Fourth Plain Community Response Team for crisis intervention, support for childcare businesses to increase access to affordable childcare and funding for community-building/placemaking activities desired by neighboring community members.

$2 million for economic development
Supports small businesses and entrepreneurship and helps fund programming and operations of the Fourth Plain Community Commons.

Total ARPA funding to be invested on Fourth Plain: $25 million

Main Street Promise

In Oct. 2023, City Council approved a $21 million final design to reconstruct the streetscape of Main Street between Fifth and 15th streets. The approved design provides a safe, accessible and connected transportation system, supports existing small businesses along Main Street and will uplift this historic corridor as a vibrant destination for neighbors and visitors.

Key design features include:

• 112 bike parking spaces including an electric bike/scooter charging station
  • 97 short-term seating options along accessible, curbless sidewalks
• Eight blocks with street festival/event options and new/improved decorative lighting
• Removal of diagonal parking replaced by parallel parking
• Narrowing of the roadway and extension of sidewalk

Total ARPA funding to be invested on Main Street: $12 million